Jewelry hanger

ABSTRACT

A jewelry storage apparatus is disclosed that fills these needs by combining the traditional box with a hanger utilizing vertical space in a closet. One embodiment is an apparatus for storing jewelry comprising a hanger and a storage structure affixed to the hanger where the apparatus is suitable for storing in a display-mode a large amount of various types of jewelry including rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets in both a scratch-free mode and a tangle-free mode.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a hanging apparatus for storing jewelry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for an apparatus to store larger quantities and morevaried forms of jewelry in an easily displayed and a space saving manneroff of countertops and floors, without getting jewelry pieces tangledup.

Typically jewelry is stored in boxes and organizers. However, boxes andorganizers have limited space that results in jewelry often beingcrowded when it is stored. Crowding causes the tangling of itemsespecially necklaces. Additionally, existing jewelry boxes andorganizers are very limited in the amount of jewelry they can holdrequiring a person to purchase additional boxes. The drawback istwofold, spending more money and taking up more counter or floor space.Furthermore, rummaging through many drawers in a jewelry box isinconvenient.

The need to store more jewelry has increased. In recent years jewelrymakers have increased the color, style and choices available so thatwomen can more closely and uniquely match jewelry with their outfits andpersonalities. As a result, the public has been buying more than everbefore. The jewelry “box” and armoires that have been the standard ofcontaining these items in the home are causing a greater level ofirritation as pieces of jewelry become more tangles and scratched andthe number of boxes to search multiplies. Earring and necklace sets moreoften become separated.

Vertical storage devices have been known but are inadequate. Thesedevices do not permit display of a wide enough variety of types ofjewelry. Often the devices are able to display necklaces in an untangledhanging mode and bracelets suspended to avoid scratching. However, nonepermit easy display of rings in compression slits as seen in jewelrystore boxes. Thus, sets of rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces forvarious outfits are difficult to find or assemble.

There is still an increasing need for a jewelry organizer which holdslarge amounts of a wide array of different types of jewelry in a limitedspace, keeping all pieces tangle free while displaying them in openview.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention fills these needs by combining the traditional box with ahanger utilizing vertical space in a closet. Specifically I haveinvented a jewelry storage hanger. One embodiment of my invention is anapparatus for storing jewelry comprising a hanger and a storagestructure affixed to the hanger where the apparatus is suitable forstoring in a display-mode various types of jewelry including rings,necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

Another embodiment is a jewelry storage apparatus comprising a hangerand a jewelry storage structure affixed to the hanger. The hangerincludes a hook midway between two arms that extend in oppositedirections and angle downward, each arm having an end. The jewelrystorage structure affixed to each end comprises a horizontal sheet withholes suitable for affixing earrings, an elongated container, at leastone vertical sheet and at least one hook. The horizontal sheet has atop, a bottom, an elongated center section, two short ends and two longends, wherein the top of the horizontal surface along the short ends isaffixed to the arm ends and the horizontal surface along the long endshave the vertical holes. The elongated container has a bottom surfacethat is attached to the top of the elongated center section of thehorizontal sheet and a top surface with at least one slit suitable forcompression holding at least one ring. The vertical sheet is suspendedfrom the structure below the bottom of the elongated center section ofthe horizontal sheet, has a top, a first side and a second side, and atleast one post extending outward from at least the first side of thevertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in an untangledorientation. The hook is suspended downward from beneath the bottom ofthe elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and configured tobe able to support the hanging of a bracelet.

Still another embodiment of the invention is a system for storingjewelry. The system includes an apparatus and a clothing dust cover. Theapparatus comprises a hanger as described earlier and a jewelry storagestructure affixed to each end if the hanger and including a horizontalsheet with holes suitable for affixing earrings, and an elongatedcontainer, at least one vertical sheet, all as described earlier. Thedust cover is shaped to drape over the apparatus when the apparatus isin a hanging position and to cover the apparatus to protect jewelryaffixed to the apparatus from being contacted with undesirable dust.

As used herein:

“Scratch-free mode” means providing a means for placing items of jewelryin relatively stationary isolation such as, for example, placing ringswithin compressive slits.

“Tangle-free mode” means providing a means for suspending individuallyfrom protrusions tangle-prone types of jewelry such as, for example,necklaces.

My invention has several advantages over existing jewelry storagedevices. First it allows the visible storage of a large amount of variedpieces of jewelry including rings. Second, the jewelry is affixed in amanner that greatly decreases the chance of pieces becoming tangled orscratched. Third, it has the ability to be concealed or revealed at thedesire of the owner. Fourth, the large capacity of some embodiments ofmy apparatus conserves space for the storage of jewelry at a time whenthe trend is to acquire numerous varied pieces of jewelry for manydifferent outfits of clothing. While other jewelry storage devices mayhave some of these features, my invention provides all of them. This hasnot been taught or suggested by other devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention are described in theaccompanying drawings. The drawings are briefly described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus of the invention from anupper central point of view.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a jewelry storage structure without ahanger and with a drawer partially open from a slightly leftward frontalpoint of view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

My invention is a jewelry storage apparatus or system that combines theadvantages of a traditional jewelry storage box with a hanger utilizingvertical space in the closet. The apparatus is a storage means thatallows one to visually display a variety of types of jewelry in a mannerthat prevents the pieces of jewelry from becoming tangled or scratched.The system further permits the visually-displayed jewelry from suchthings as dust or undesirable view.

Jewelry storage boxes have been used for many years to store jewelry.They generally have multiple compartments suitable for storage a varietyof types of jewelry such as, for example, rings, earrings, necklaces,and bracelets. In addition, some have compartments that have compressiveslits specifically designed to hold the rings in a separate and securemanner. The major disadvantage of these jewelry boxes is that jewelryoften becomes tangles and possibly scratched. Also, sets of jewelry suchas, for example, earrings and necklaces become separated in varioussmall boxes as more boxes and pieces of jewelry are acquired. Largerjewelry storage boxes sometimes have pegs to allow for the verticalhanging of necklaces to keep them tangle-free. However, large jewelrystorage boxes consume a significant amount of space on floors or tabletops, i.e., have an undesirably large footprint.

Recently the problems are increasing as people buying more jewelry tomore individually coordinate jewelry with clothing outfits. Also inaddition to the problems of tangled pieces and undesirably largefootprints, a new need has arisen. The increased amount of jewelry hascreated a desire to store jewelry in a visible manner to allow for moretimely selections of particular pieces for a particular outfit.

Over the years, various types of hanging jewelry storage devices havebeen disclosed to address the growing footprint and tangling issues.While these devices address the problems of tangles necklaces and largefootprint, they do not provide some of the advantages of boxes. Thehanging devices have not been as able to store as much variety ofjewelry as boxes have been. In particular, none of the hanging deviceshave compressed slits, available in some jewelry boxes, for storingrings so they will not become scratched. Also, none of the hangingdevices provided the ability to store the quantity of jewelry piecesoften desired to be stored today. Thus, sets of rings, bracelets,earrings and necklaces for various outfits are difficult to find orassemble.

There is still an increasing need for a jewelry organizer which holdslarge amounts of a wide array of different types of jewelry in a limitedspace, keeping all pieces tangle free while displaying them in openview. My invention fills this need by combining a hanger utilizingvertical space in the closet with parts of a traditional jewelry box.

One embodiment of my invention is an apparatus for storing jewelry asillustrated in FIG. 1. The apparatus (10) is comprised of a hanger (12)and a storage structure (14) affixed to the hanger where the apparatusis suitable for storing in a display-mode various types of jewelryincluding rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Hanger 10 includes ahook (16) midway between two arms (18, 20) that extend in oppositedirections and angle downward, each arm having an end (22, 24). The hookis of a shape sufficient to hang the apparatus on a closet clothing poleand should be made of a material that is strong enough to support theapparatus when loaded with pieces of jewelry. Suitable materials arewell known to the art and include metal, wood and plastic. The arms areof a shape and material suitable to attach the hook to the jewelrystructure and support the jewelry storage apparatus when loaded withjewelry. Suitable shapes and materials are well known to the art andsuitable materials include metal, wood and plastic. The embodiment ofFIG. 1 illustrates arms that are also suitable to support conventionalclothing although that shape is not required for all embodiments.

Jewelry storage structure 14 is affixed to each hanger arm end 22, 24and comprises a horizontal sheet (26) with holes (28) suitable foraffixing earrings. The horizontal sheet also has a top (30), a bottom(32), an elongated center section (34), two short ends (36, 38) and twolong ends (40, 42), wherein top 30 of the horizontal surface along shortends 36, 38 is affixed to arm ends 22, 24 and the horizontal surfacealong long ends 40, 42 have vertical holes 28 offset from the edges.Earrings with posts are able to be inserted through holes 28 so thatcaps can be put over the tips of the protruding posts. Preferablyhorizontal sheet 26 has a vertical thickness suitable for clip-onearrings to be affixed thereto.

Structure 14 also includes an elongated container (44). The elongatedcontainer has a bottom surface (46) that is attached to the top of theelongated center section of the horizontal sheet and a top surface (48)with at least one slit (50) suitable for compressively holding at leastone ring. Apparatus 10 shows two slits. Top surface 48 is made of amaterial that suitable to form slits able to expand to allow a ring toenter but be stiff enough to hold the ring in substantially a stableposition. Materials able to do this are well known to the art andinclude, for example, soft wood like balsa, both open and closed cellfoam, cardboard, and harder materials. The materials may be furthercovered in cloth such as, for example, velvet or cotton. The rest of thecontainer needs to be made of material that provides sufficient supportto maintain the shape of the container. Suitable materials include, forexample, wood, plastic, metal, and even cardboard.

Structure 14 further comprises at least one vertical sheet (52).Vertical sheet 52 is suspended from the structure below the bottom ofthe elongated center section of the horizontal sheet. The sheet has atop (54), a first side (56) and a second side (58), and at least onepost (60) extending outward from at least first side (56) of thevertical sheet that is suitable for holding a necklace in an untangledsubstantially vertical orientation. Some embodiments may have postsextending outward form both sides. Other embodiments, like the one shownin FIG. 1, have two sheets parallel to each other with posts extendingoutward from each sheet. Posts 60 typically are configured to retain thenecklaces by means of ridges or contours, or extending slightly upward.Sheet 52 and post 60 may be made of the same or different materials aslong as sufficient support is achieved. Suitable materials include, forexample, wood, plastic and metal.

Some embodiments also include at least one hook (62) as shown in FIG. 2.The hook is suspended downward from beneath the bottom of the elongatedcenter section of the horizontal sheet and configured to be able tosupport the hanging of a bracelet. Some embodiments do not have hooksbut make use of posts to suspend bracelets. Hooks may be double asillustrated in FIG. 2, single, or some other combination. The may be ofany material able to provide sufficient support. Suitable materialsinclude, for example, metal, wood, and plastic. Some embodiments havehooks may be attached to the horizontal sheet.

Other embodiments also include a means for supporting a drawer and apull-out drawer. These embodiments also often have two vertical sheets.The means may be any that are known to support a drawer includingsomething as simple as horizontal rails affixed to the inside surfacesof the vertical sheets to a more complete enclosure that encircles thespace where a drawer is slideably engaged. The means as illustrated inFIG. 2 (64) includes guide rails (not shown) affixed to the insides oftwo vertical sheets (52) and a horizontal bracing member attached tobottom 32 and the inside of vertical sheets (52). A drawer (66) isslideably engaged within the means. The drawer is useful for storingitems that are not desired to be on visual display or for largebracelets or pins. Materials used for means 64 and drawer 66 may be thesame or different as long as they provide sufficient support to functionas intended. Suitable materials include, for example, metal, plastid andwood. Embodiments having a means for support and a drawer may also havehooks 62 attached to the bottom of the drawer, where the bottom isexposed, or the bottom of the supporting means where it encloses thedrawer. The former is illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

Still another embodiment of the invention is a system for storingjewelry. The system includes an apparatus and a cover similar to aclothing dust cover. The apparatus comprises a hanger as describedearlier and a jewelry storage structure affixed to each end if thehanger and including a horizontal sheet with holes suitable for affixingearrings, and an elongated container, at least one vertical sheet, allas described earlier. In one embodiment, the cover is somewhattransparent and shaped to drape over the apparatus when the apparatus isin a hanging position and cover the apparatus to protect jewelry affixedto the apparatus from collecting undesirable dust. In anotherembodiment, the cover is similarly shaped but opaque to have the jewelrystorage apparatus appear like a coat in a closet to unknowing eyes.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Someembodiments may have the elements in different arrangements. Forexample, the elongated box may be affixed to the side of one of twovertical sheets. Some embodiments may be made predominately of woodwhole others may be predominately of plastic. This document is meant toinclude all embodiments that encompass the spirit and purpose of theinvention.

1. A jewelry storage apparatus, comprising, a hanger comprising a hookmidway between two arms extending in opposite directions and anglingdownward, each arm having an end and a jewelry storage structure affixedto each end able to store in a displaying manner pieces of jewelrycomprising necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets, wherein the piecesof jewelry are displayed in a tangle-free and scratch-free manner. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the jewelry storage structurecomprises, a jewelry storage structure affixed to each end, comprising,a horizontal sheet having a top, a bottom, an elongated center section,two short ends and two long ends, wherein the top of the horizontalsurface along the short ends is affixed to the arm ends and thehorizontal surface along the long ends have vertical holes of a sizesuitable for affixing pierced earrings, an elongated container havingbottom surface affixed to the top of the elongated center section of thehorizontal sheet and a top surface with at least one slit suitable forcompression holding at least one ring, and at least one vertical sheetsuspended from the structure below the bottom of the elongated centersection of the horizontal sheet, the vertical sheet having a top, afirst side and a second side, and at least one post extending outwardfrom at least the first side of the vertical sheet suitable for holdinga necklace in an untangled orientation.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2wherein the horizontal sheet has a vertical thickness suitable forclip-on earrings to be affixed thereto.
 4. The jewelry storage structureof claim 2 further comprising, at least one hook suspended downward frombeneath the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontalsheet and configured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet. 5.The jewelry storage structure of claim 2, further comprising, a secondvertical sheet substantially parallel to the first vertical sheet issuspended from the structure below the bottom of the elongated centersection of the horizontal sheet, the vertical sheet having a top, afirst side and a second side, and at least one post extending outwardfrom at least the first side of the vertical sheet suitable for holdinga necklace in an untangled orientation.
 6. The jewelry storage structureof claim 5, further comprising, means for supporting a drawer wheremeans is horizontally-affixed the second sides of each vertical sheet,and a pull-out storage drawer having a bottom, aligned below the bottomelongated center section of the horizontal sheet, and slideably engagedto the support means.
 7. The jewelry storage structure of claim 6,further comprising, at least one hook suspended downward from the bottomof the drawer and configured to be able to support the hanging of abracelet.
 8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the jewelry storagestructure is substantially composed of wood.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2wherein the jewelry storage structure is substantially composed ofplastic.
 10. A jewelry storage apparatus, comprising, a hangercomprising a hook midway between two arms extending in oppositedirections and angling downward, each arm having an end and a jewelrystorage structure affixed to each end, comprising, a horizontal sheethaving a top, a bottom, an elongated center section, two short ends andtwo long ends, wherein the top of the horizontal surface along the shortends is affixed to the arm ends and the horizontal surface along thelong ends have vertical holes of a size suitable for affixing piercedearrings, an elongated container having bottom surface affixed to thetop of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and a topsurface with at least one slit suitable for compression holding at leastone ring, at least one vertical sheet suspended from the structure belowthe bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet, thevertical sheet having a top, a first side and a second side, and atleast one post extending outward from at least the first side of thevertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in an untangledorientation, and at least one hook suspended downward from beneath thebottom of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet andconfigured to be able to support the hanging of a bracelet.
 11. A systemfor storing jewelry, comprising, an apparatus, comprising, a hangercomprising a hook midway between two arms extending in oppositedirections and angling downward, each arm having an end; and a jewelrystorage structure affixed to each end, comprising, a horizontal sheethaving a top, a bottom, an elongated center section, two short ends andtwo long ends, wherein the top of the horizontal surface along the shortends is affixed to the arm ends and the horizontal surface along thelong ends have vertical holes of a size suitable for affixing piercedearrings, an elongated container having bottom surface affixed to thetop of the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and a topsurface with at least one slit suitable for compression holding at leastone ring, and at least one vertical sheet suspended from the structurebelow the bottom of the elongated center section of the horizontalsheet, the vertical sheet having a top, a first side and a second side,and at least one post extending outward from at least the first side ofthe vertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in an untangledorientation; and a clothing dust cover shaped to drape over theapparatus when the apparatus is in a hanging position and cover theapparatus to protect jewelry affixed to the apparatus from collectingundesirable dust.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the cover issubstantially transparent,
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein the coveris substantially opaque.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein thehorizontal sheet has a thickness suitable for clip-on earrings to beaffixed thereto.
 15. The jewelry storage structure of claim 11 furthercomprising, at least one hook suspended downward from beneath the bottomof the elongated center section of the horizontal sheet and configuredto be able to support the hanging of a bracelet.
 16. The jewelry storagestructure of claim 11, further comprising, a second vertical sheetsubstantially parallel to the first vertical sheet is suspended from thestructure below the bottom of the elongated center section of thehorizontal sheet, the vertical sheet having a top, a first side and asecond side, and at least one post extending outward from at least thefirst side of the vertical sheet suitable for holding a necklace in anuntangled orientation.
 17. The jewelry storage structure of claim 16,further comprising, means for supporting a drawer where means ishorizontally-affixed the second sides of each vertical sheet, and apull-out storage drawer having a bottom, aligned below the bottomelongated center section of the horizontal sheet, and slideably engagedto the support means.
 18. The jewelry storage structure of claim 17,further comprising, at least one hook suspended downward from the bottomof the drawer and configured to be able to support the hanging of abracelet.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the jewelry storagestructure is predominately composed of wood.
 20. The apparatus of claim11 wherein the jewelry storage structure is predominately composed ofplastic.